One of the children of the deceased, Nkechi Nwabueze, who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone on Monday, confirmed that the legal icon died in his Lagos residence on Sunday, shortly after complaining of “not feeling too well”.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Monday, the Secretary-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, described the deceased as a “great luminary, a towering figure, and a champion of the Igbo cause.”
Isiguzoro said the Igbo-speaking states, including Anioma in Delta State and Ikwerre in Rivers State, will observe four traditional market days of mourning to honour the memory of the deceased.
The statement read, “With heavy hearts and profound sorrow, Ohanaeze Ndigbo joins the entire Igbo nation and the world at large in mourning the irreparable loss of a great luminary, a towering figure, and a champion of the Igbo cause, Prof. Ben Nwabueze.
“We announce with deep grief the passing away of our beloved founder and former Secretary-General, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, a man whose contributions to the academic, legal, and political spheres are immeasurable.
“Fondly referred to as the ‘Professor of Professors,’ Ben Nwabueze was born on December 22, 1931, in Atani, Ogbaru LGA of Anambra State.
“His journey through life was marked by unparalleled dedication, unwavering commitment, and an unwavering pursuit of justice and equality for the Igbo people. His profound intellect and undeniable passion for knowledge led him to become a prolific author, penning over 30 books and publishing more than 200 articles in academic journals.”
Isiguzoro added that as one of the founding fathers of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 1976, alongside other distinguished Igbo sons such as Francis Akanu Ibiam, Dr. M.I Okpara, Chief K.O Mbadiwe, Chief Ugochukwu, among others, the late Prof. Ben Nwabueze played an instrumental role in shaping the destiny of its people.
According to him, the deceased, during his tenure as Secretary-General from 1978 to 2004, transformed Ohanaeze Ndigbo into a formidable and highly regarded non-partisan pan-Igbo pressure group.
The group also appealed to President Bola Tinubu, to immortalise the legacy of Nwabueze by naming one of the newly approved federal universities after him.
“He dedicated himself to the cause of the Igbo nation, working tirelessly to ensure that our voices were heard and our rights protected.
“Under his visionary leadership, the organisation became a beacon of hope and a symbol of unity for the Igbo people. His efforts in championing the cause of the Igbo and advocating for justice, fairness, and equity will forever be etched in our hearts.
“In recognition of his exceptional achievements, Prof. Ben Nwabueze received numerous accolades, including several prestigious chieftaincy titles and The Nigerian Order of Merit. His contributions to academia, law, and nation-building are immeasurable, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of Nigerian history.
“As we mourn the loss of this extraordinary scholar and statesman, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, together with the entire Igbo-speaking states, including Anioma in Delta State and Ikwerre in River State, will observe four traditional market days of mourning to honour the memory of Professor Ben Nwabueze. We implore all Igbo sons and daughters, both at home and in the diaspora, to join us in this solemn period of reflection and remembrance,” the statement added.
